Development of Marco in A View from The Bridge

MARCO: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE 

INTRODUCTION 

In this presentation I’m going to talk about the development of Marco. To do it, I’m going to analyse some key moments. To finish, I’m going to do a conclusion and I’m going to give my opinion and talk about perspectives.

Marco is one of the main characters in the play “A View from The Bridge.” The character is an illegal immigrant recently arrived in the United States from Italy. He is Rodolfo’s older brother and Beatrice’s cousin. We also know that he has a wife and three children in his country. 

“A View from The Bridge” is a play written by Arthur Miller in 1955. The drama consists of Two Acts. 

There are two possible contexts, the historical and geographical context and the reference to the Greek tragedy. The first, the story is located in the 1950s in Red Hook, a neighbourhood without amenities where the Italian-American community resides. This data is key because during the course of the plot we can see the natural law versus the written law, the “own” behaviour of the Sicilian Society and some terms of the Sicilian Code, such as Omerta. Respect and the ethical law are very important within this community. 

This play is inspired Greek tragedy. During the course of the story we can see many similarities with this genre as the argument, in both there is a hero, in this case Eddie, who commits the error of judgment (hamartia), becomes irrational and ends up creating his own destruction. We also see the figure of a chorus present in the play and this has a fundamental role in the development of the work. In the Greek tragedy it is normally to talk about topics without temporal limits, in this work we see themes such as love, jealousy, honour … 

The plot of the play begins with the arrival of two illegal immigrants (submarines) to the home of the Carbone family. This event affects and changes each member of the family but mainly triggers a series of consequences on the main character, Eddie. 

ARGUMENT 1 – THE ARRIVAL OF SUBMARINES

In this episode the character is a hardworking man with values, an example of this is the comment he makes during the conversation with the Carbone family: “What Can I do?  The older one is sick in his chest. My wife – she feeds them from her own mouth. I tell you the truth, if I stay there they will never grow up. They eat the sunshine.” (Miller, 1955). In this contribution, he shows us that he has a great family value .and that he is an honourable and sacrificial man. All these characteristics are related to the context. Family is one of the most important values ​​of the Sicilian code. We can also see a rhetorical question, by using it we can realize how desperate the character was and that he couldn’t support his family. There’s also another literary device, the metaphor, “They eat the sunshine” that talks about the desperate situation of Marco’s family. This information makes the audience feel upset for the character and gives a good impression about him.

At various times during the conversation, he demonstrates that he is very grateful, an example is when he addresses Eddie: “Eduardo …” (approaches Eddie, offering his hand) (Miller, 1955). In this scene we can see how grateful the character is for the hospitality of Eddie and Beatrice. We see Marco’s respect for Eddie in the stage direction. Values ​​such as respect and hospitality are typical of Sicilian society, in this case, this forms the context of the play.

Another example is when Marco comments to Beatrice: “With my permission, we will stay maybe a-” (Miller, 1955). In this case, we see how the diction, the choice of words, affects the meaning of this sentence. The fact of using the word “permission” gives us an idea of ​​Marco’s respect and how grateful he is with the couple.

An example of that grateful is the sentence: “Thank you!” (Miller, 1955). In this commentary the author use the repetition to emphasise the thankfulness. Another evidence is the quote: “I beg your pardon, Eddie” (Miller, 1955). In that sentence the author use diction in the words “beg” and “pardon”, that words are formaly and try to demonstrate Marco’s respect. All that examples create a good impression of the character and makes the audience support him.

In this episode also describes Marco physically like the Sicilian stereotype. This is showed in the stage direction: (He is a square-built peasant of thirty-two). (Miller, 1955) In this sentence we know that he is a strong man. There’s another description when Catherine says: “How is it that it is so dark, and you are so light, Rodolpho? In that quote we know that Marco is a person with dark skin and dark hair.

During the plot Marco tries to calm the tension between Eddie and Rodolpho. This is showed in the quote: “You’ll be quiet”(Miller, 1955). In this commentary we can see that he tries to avoid conflicts between these two characters. Marco’s a peacemaker. The tension between Rodolpho and Eddie foreshadows that the situation will finish with a conflict. In that situation Marco tries to warn Rodolpho because he can’t say anything to Eddie for respect. 

All these evidences have a positive effect on the audience because Marco calms the tension between Eddie and Rodolpho. In conclusion the first impression of Marco is really good. He is guy who comes to America to work and he doesn’t want problems.

ARGUMENT 2 – THE LIFTING CHAIR

This episode is a crucial moment in the development of this character. In Marco’s reaction we can see an evolution of the character from being a quiet person to someone strong and powerful. 

Through the stage directions we can see how Marco expresses himself more definitely by his actions than by his words. This behaviour is demonstrated with an example: “Can you lift this chair?” (Miller, 1955) In this example we see how Marco, instead of responding with words, chooses to use his strength to express his opinion by raising the chair. This intervention by Marco also shows us that he is a protective man with his family as is common in Sicilian society. This fact brings us to a connection with the context. Also, the fact that Eddie is “forced” to respect his brother has to do with the context because in this society honour and respect are fundamental. The question “Can you lift this chair?” can be considerate a rhetorical question because Marco knows that Eddie can’t do it. With this demonstration Marco wants to make Eddie feel inferior and this is a challenge for him. This behaviour foreshadows that there will be a conflict and makes the audience feel nervous.

This reaction of Marco has consequences for Eddie, this is demonstrated in the stage direction: (He tries again, and again fails) (Miller, 1955). In this sentence we can see how Marco is superior to Eddie and how he ridicules the longshoreman. 

Another example would be: Marco is face to face with Eddie, a strained tension gripping his eyes and jaw, his neck stiff, the chair raised like a weapon over Eddie’s head – and he transforms what might appear like a glare of warning into smile of triumph (Miller, 1955). In the stage direction (a strained tension gripping his eyes and jaw) talks about the mood and we know that there’s aggressiveness and rage in the environment. A detectable element in this dimension is the diction. In the sentence we see how he uses the words “glare of warning” to clarify that Marco presents himself as an enemy to the patriarch and to foreshadows that could have problems in the future. Also, the use of the word “triumph” is important because he has been able to humiliate Eddie in his own home. The simile ”the chair raised like a weapon” suggests that the character has run out of patience and is willing to a possible confrontation with Eddie. In the sentence there’s also a diction with the word “weapon” and the use of that word demonstrates that Marco is an enemy of Eddie. This “conclusion” foreshadows that it will be a conflict between these characters; this creates an intrigue mood and makes the audience feel nervous.

An example of how this event creates a tension in the atmosphere is: (Rodolpho and Catherine have stopped dancing when Marco raises the chair on his head) (Miller, 1955). In this stage direction we see how this reaction of the character creates a tension and the fact that they stop dancing makes us think that this confrontation between Marco and Eddie surprises all the members of the family. This tension creates an effect on the audience of an impotence and intrigue to know how this situation would end up being resolved. 

All these tests show us that the fact that Eddie hit Marco’s brother creates a change in the character. The conclusion is that previously this type of behaviour had not been seen in Marco. This type of behaviour foreshadows that there will be a conflict between Marco and Eddie.

ARGUMENT 3 – THE FINAL

In this episode, Marco changes his behaviour. He’s furious with Eddie and he acts impulsive. He also has important values.

In the conversation with Alfieri, we can see that Marco is a man who has an important sense of values and moral ethics. This is revealed when Marco tells Alfieri: “In my country I would already be dead, I would not live that long.” This quote talks about the Sicilian code and the consequences of breaking the omerta.

Another evidence that shows us what Sicilian society is like is when Marco comments: “What am I going to tell him? He knows that such promise is dishonourable.” (Miller, 1955). In this sentence the most important element is the diction, this method is used when Marco categorizes this promise as “dishonourable”. The fact of using this word is related to the context, in Sicily the honour is the most important. Leaving Eddie immune of any punishment for betraying the immigrant would be a cowardly performance and not typical of Sicilian behaviour.

Another example of diction is reflected in this quota: “The Law? The whole law is not in a book.” (Miller, 1955) In this conversation, two types of laws are exposed, for Alfieri the legal law is more important and for Marco is Moral law. This is the law of Sicilian society; this code foreshadows us that Eddie can end up in trouble for break this omerta law.

There’s also an important quote that affects to the plot. During the conversation with the Italian, Alfieri says: “You’re going back.” (Miller, 1955) This is very important because the fact that Marco will return to Italy affects to the future. This information tell us that he can do everything that he wants and foreshadows that maybe he wants a revenge against Eddie.

Marco’s fury is detectable, so we know that this character can be impulsive and irrational. This is reflected in the stage direction and the Alfieri’s commentary at the end of the conversation between the two characters: (Marco faces Alfieri) “Only God, Marco”. (Miller, 1955). The annotation noted in this quota is very relevant, this indicates the aggressiveness of Marco, what foreshadows that open a confrontation between Marco and Eddie. This information makes the audience feel nervous and waiting for an ending situation.

Another evidence is when Marco shouts: (His anger increases) “Degraded my brother. My blood. He stole my children, he makes fun of my work. I’m working to come here, sir!” (Miller, 1955) In that quote the punctation and stage direction are important because it shows the fury of this character. In the commentary Marco talks about family, work, respect and the breaking of omerta. This suggests that the values of the Sicilian code and the context are really important and it’s an offense to the character that Eddie has not kept it. Marco’s behaviour foreshadows that he can do whatever it takes to defend their values and maybe this situation can finish with a conflict. The Marco’s reaction and all the dramatic situation shocked the audience.

In this moment Marco is mad and he his fury is disproportionate. One example of this behaviour is the stage direction: Marco suddenly breaks from the group and dashes into the room and faces Eddie… Marco spits into Eddie’s face (Miller, 1955). This stage direction shows the fury of Marco and his urge to attack Eddie. Marco chooses to spit in his face in front of everybody because is considered as an extreme expression of anger toward a person and demonstrates a lack of respect. The respect is very important in the context of the play, the Sicilian society. Another important value is the honour and in that case the Eddie’s honour is non-existent because Marco insults him in front of all the neighbours. The reaction of Marco is inflicted for the breaking of omerta, one of the most important values of the Sicilian code. The fact that Eddie reports Marco also caused the future death of his family. Marco’s reaction shocked the audience and his personality creates a good effect on the public.

In the detention, there’s a moment when Marco accuse Eddie, this happens when Marco erupts saying: “That one! I accuse that one!” (Miller, 1955) In that case the punctuation tell us that Marco is totally out of control and driven by rage. The use of punctuation also creates an emphasis of the tension that affects the audience to make them feel surprised. There’s also a repetition of the sentence “That one!”, this method is used to give more emphasis in the Marco’s accusation.

Marco is a worshipper man and has great religious values, this is showed in the Rodolpho’s quote: “He’s praying in the church.” (Miller, 1955). That commentary suggests that he is very religious and cares about his soul nevertheless it shows Marco’s intentions. He makes a confession and foreshadows that he is going to kill Eddie. This prediction makes the audience feel nervous, intrigue and suspicious. 

Marco hasn’t respect with Eddie, thinks that he is superior, and he despises him. An example is when Marco says: “Animal! You go on your knees to me!” (Miller, 1955) In this quote there’s a diction and objectification with the word “animal”. This word is an insult because Marco considered Eddie as someone who does not deserve respect, who is inferior to him. The sentence “You go on your knees to me!” confirms the information and this is related to the context. In the sicilian code the honour and respect are very important and the breaking of omerta can bring into play the value of these. The punctuation is also important and demonstrates the fury of the character.

This moment is the final furious scene and when the limits are percied. An exemple of these non-limits it’s: Eddie lunges with the knife. Marco grabs his arm, turning the blade inward and pressing it home… (Miller, 1955) This scene is related with the context of the play, The Greek tragedy. This moment is inspired in the final of the Greek tragedy when the hero makes his own destruction. The scene is also related with another context, the Sicilian Code and the consequences of breaking omerta and don’t respect the others values can be fatal, an exemple is the death of Eddie effect.

This episode has a tension and an agressive mood that affects the audience. The key moments makes the audience feel shocked and surprised. The drama scenes and some details make the audience understand the feelings of the characters and can make them empathize.

CONCLUSION

(Perspectives can change depending on the context and characters involved) In the play there are some examples related with that sentence. An example is the concept of death, I think that in this case can be justificated because Eddie’s break the sicilian code and creates the possible death of Marco’s family.

At the beginning he just come to earn money to his family and he doesn’t want problems. The Eddie’s behaviour changes Marco, he brings out the worst of Marco and he “finds” Marco’s weakness. At the final of the story we see that Marco is completely irrational and impulsive.

In my opinion, I think that Marco is an interesting character. I think that his values are really important, and he is a good person, but he is influenciated.

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